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Phoenix Security Blog

Fun Facts Friday:

Security Alarms

1. It's been noted that as early as 386 B.C. the Romans decided to utilize geese to warn them of danger. Apparently the intruder could get past the dogs and the guards, but it wasn't until their paths crossed the geese that the officers were alerted by their loud squawking and restless flying.

2. About 41% of the burglars break into homes without the security alarm systems. In fact, Homes without security or alarm systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into. About 61% of all burglaries are committed by forcible entry

3. It is reported that in the early 1700s an English inventor named Tildesley is original pioneer of the intrusion alarm by linking a set of chimes to the door lock. The chimes would alert homeowners of intrusion when the burglar tried to enter through the door.

4. It wasn't until the 1850's that Augustus Russell Pope, Boston inventor, discovered how to use electricity, magnets, and a bell to produce an electric version of the burglar alarm. It was powered by battery and mounted on each individual window and door frame.

5. Home security alarm systems produce a high level of protection from water and fire damages, even when a homeowner is absent, due to the additional detectors.

6. In 2013, it was estimated that the losses from all reported property crimes totaled $16.6 billion

7. Insurance companies may reduce homeowner's insurance rates by 20% when there is an alarm system installed.

8. A burglary occurs every 13 seconds in the United States.

9. There are an estimated 18 million home security systems currently installed in the US.

Phoenix Surveillance cares about your security. Give us a call at (602) 248-8477 or click the link below to get your free alarm quote today!

The Tech Tip-Off!

Girls in Tech Phoenix- The Shatter Series: Mindset Reset

GIT or Girls in Tech are hosting their very first GIT speakers series. The speakers will discuss personal and professional development. The main topics of discussion are Mindset, Networking as an Introvert, Self- Regulation, and Creating a Meaningful Life.

The Mindset portion of the discussion will include the idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck. The idea entails teaching a growth mindset to promote productivity and motivation.

Networking as an Introvert refers to the balance of being an introvert and having the pressure market products, businesses, or yourself in extroverted environments. Speakers will discuss techniques to break the ice and step out of your shell in front of a demanding crowd or network of people.

Self - Regulation mainly reflects the adaptability to certain people and changing situations that could often warrant an atypical reaction. This part of the discussion explains how to develop self-control and the tools needed to communicate effectively, no matter the situation.

Lastly, Creating a Meaningful Life will pertain to the maintaining purpose and intention in our lives that please us as individuals and contribute to our well-being. The speaker mentions taking ownership over our actions and our voices to become in tune with our desires.

Damage Prevention and Safety Seminars

Arizona

The 2017 Damage Prevention & Safety Seminar in Arizona is running all through next week. Today is the Phoenix event and tomorrow is the Tempe event. The event is free all contractors, safety managers, trainers, foremen and supervisors, along with anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge on the proper safety measures to take in industrial work are welcome to attend. Hosted by Arizona 811, the event explains the daily precautions that should be taken to prevent serious injury and protect vital utilities.

The speakers of the event include representatives from Arizona 811, utility owners, gas transmission and distribution operators, the Arizona Corporation Commission, and the Arizona Utility Contractors Association (AZUCA)

Attendees must check-in for the seminar at 6:30 A. M. and the program will begin promptly at 7 A.M. A complimentary breakfast will be included. The program will last about two and a half to three hours. Seating is first come first serve, so make sure if you're in a group you try to arrive earlier.

Pre- registration is required because of the space limitation and the free meals. A registration form is required for each individual, even if attending with a company or local government. If you cancel your RSVP any time after 72 hours before the event you are subject to a $30 charge.

For more information, click here to be redirected to the Arizona 811 web page.

Worker Bee Wednesday

Phoenix Surveillance Employee Spotlight

The Employee Spotlight for this week goes to Lyndon Petersen. Lyndon has been with Phoenix Surveillance for a little over a year now. Lyndon is a man of many roles, but his main position is as a technician. His favorite part about working with Phoenix Surveillance is the people he gets to work with as well as expanding his knowledge in the limitless technological field. Lyndon says that Phoenix Surveillance has impacted his life positively by teaching him determination, modesty, and confidence.

Lyndon's personal mantra is a piece of advice rapper Dr. Dre gave to his apprentice, Eminem. Dr. Dre told Eminem, "You gotta work hard to get it. And you gotta work twice as hard to maintain it." These wise words have emphatically influenced Lyndon's work ethic for the better.

Lyndon says that something people might not know about him is that he can be an extremely empathetic individual. He is also enthusiastic about athletics. He played CLUB Baseball. He's played in about 13 different states as well as assisted in three 1st place championships.

When asked with what three words he would use to describe himself, he chose: Honest, loyal, and diverse. Lyndon is a thoughtful employee who doesn't mind lending a hand to coworkers or clients. He exudes confidence and is an energetic personality in the workplace.

Thank you, Lyndon, for all of your hard work and the positive energy you bring to Phoenix Surveillance!

Tech Tuesday:

The Everyday Technology we Never Realized Changed our Lives

Technology is a category with almost no limitation. From your shoe lace to your smart phone, from your toothbrush to your high-tech security system - (wink, wink) - technology has proven to serve endless functions. However, there are some products of technology we use daily, but will often be taken for granted. Here are a few small tech gadgets with big duties:

Credit Card Chips-

Okay, this one we definitely curse its existence rather than applaud it. We all dread that five extra seconds we have to spare inserting our card chips and waiting for that obnoxious beep to alarm so we know the machine read our card. Remember the days when we could swipe those plastic bad-boys and run? Well, don't get too nostalgic because back in the "no chip" days, credit card fraud was prevalent. Counterfeit transactions and fraudulent activity has decreased by approximately 18% since the chips were implemented. So what do you prefer: an easy swipe or no credit card fraud?

Light Switches-

Light switches were rendered useless after the invention of the infamous "Clap-on, clap-off" light. Just kidding, who actually uses The Clapper... and why? The light switch was invented in 1884 by John Henry Holmes or J.H. Holmes for short (no relation to H.H. Holmes). Before the light switch made it to the homes of the public or even most businesses there were pendant lights with a turnkey. Doesn't that just sound ancient?

Lasers-

No, I'm not talking about the lasers that shoot out of the eyes of Superman (or Scott Summers' eyes if you're a Marvel fan). The laser scanners I'm talking about are the barcode readers. You know, the thing the cashier does at a grocery store so you can buy stuff? Yeah, you may think that the barcode scanner isn't anything worth talking about, I mean they don't necessarily melt anything, but it really left its mark on history. In June of 1974, the first scanner made by the National Cash Register Co was installed at Marsh's Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The first product to ever be scanned at a check-out counter was a ten pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum. It made such a huge impact on modern life that the pack of gum is on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

Sunglasses-

Ah, yes. The fashion statement that doubles as protective eye wear. Sunglasses have allegedly been in development dating back to prehistoric times. It wasn't until the 1920's that sunglasses became a widespread phenomena typically among movie stars. By 1937, the eye wear trend had hit the streets and the public became obsessed with the fancy shades. Protection is a key word when describing the function of sunglasses. They shield the delicate eyes from ultraviolet radiation. UV rays can cause severe damage to the eyes like cataracts, blindness, and even some forms of eye cancer. So next time you neglect your sunglasses because they don't go with your outfit, you might want to change your outfit.

Coffeemakers-

Okay, there's no debate on this one. Coffee is amazing and being able to make it yourself in the convenience of your own home is absolutely brilliant. France figured the everyday need for coffee in the late 18th century. Eventually an eccentric American scientist living in France named Count Rumford came up with the French Drip Pot and it was all uphill from there. Collectively, Americans consume 146 billion cups of coffee per year. The U.S. is the leading consumer of coffee in the world. On a more fiscal note, The United States imports more than $4 billion dollars’ worth of coffee each year. Maybe we should cut down on our coffee a little bit. You know, just enough to help the economy? Yeah, right.

Camera Phone-

Before I dive in to this, let me take a selfie. POSE...AIM...SNAP...ew, filter. Apparently there's this huge Sharp or Samsung debate--who produced the first camera phone-- but the real question is, if this was circa 2000, why did I waist so much time manually uploading my pictures to MySpace with a digital camera? There was a race in the early 2000's to create the best phone camera. They used high quality technology and spent more time on the camera than other aspects of the phone. The rise of the smart phone disrupted this race by presenting a phone with a small camera in a slimmer, more attractive device. The race was over and manufacturers focused on the other phone accessories. Thanks iPhone, now we have to use filters.

Toilets-

The porcelain throne existed for millenniums. Maybe not in porcelain, but our ancestors were definitely on the right track. They knew you needed a hole and a chute to drain the excretions. Isn't it odd to think that only the affluent classes were privileged enough to use toilets and the average citizen had to squat over a pot in a trench right next to a bunch of other people? At least that's a little more civilized than what the Danish did. They defecated in open fields and used it as fertilizer. All of this unsanitary hoopla ended with the development of the flush toilet. It was designed in 1596 by John Harington. Everybody take a moment to thank John.

These technological advances seem small compared to the Artificial Intelligence and drones being developed today, but last time I checked I use all seven of these items in a day more than I use a robot... at least for now. It's the small things.